Outstanding British businesses honoured by the Queen

The winners of this year’s prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced to mark Her Majesty’s 93rd birthday.

Relocate Editorial

23 April 2019

A total of 201 businesses have been named as among the best in the country by Her Majesty The Queen, in the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise announced on 23 April to celebrate Her Majesty’s 93rd birthday.The winners include businesses leading the way in a huge range of industries – from construction, agriculture, motoring and software development. This year, three quarters of the total are small and enterprises (SMEs), 30 of which have fewer than ten employees.

Award boosts sales and international recognition

The winners will join more than 6,000 British businesses in receiving the prestigious honour and will have the privilege of displaying the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise emblem for five years. Previous international trade business winners have reported seeing a 73 per cent boost to their international sales and worldwide recognition.More than 200 businesses, including 151 small and medium enterprises and six double award winners, will be honoured at a Buckingham Palace reception.

Four main categories

The Awards, established in 1965 and now in their 53rd year, are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, with companies from across the UK recognised for their contribution in the four categories.The categories include:• 129 International Trade winners• 61 Innovation winners• 6 Sustainable Development winners• 5 Promoting Opportunity winnersAnnouncing the awards Business Secretary Greg Clark said, "These prestigious awards help shine a light on all that is great about UK business today. I am extremely impressed to see such a wealth of talent and innovation from across the UK being recognised today by Her Majesty The Queen."These awards recognise the innovative products and services being provided by British businesses that are in demand across the world, as well as the sheer determination and hard work that comes with starting and running a business."Many of these winners are small businesses – the backbone of our economy – and we are backing them to grow, increase their productivity and create more jobs and opportunity across the UK through our modern Industrial Strategy."

Technology and software companies honoured

Among the double-award wining businesses recognised for outstanding achievements in both International Trade and Innovation categories are innovative technology company Markes International Limited and driving simulation software company rFpro.Tim Hawkins, managing director of Markes International Ltd, which won in the International Trade and Innovation category said, "It is a great honour to be recognised by Her Majesty The Queen for our excellence in Innovation and, for the second time, International Trade. We take great pride in introducing new technologies to our field of analytical chemistry, and alongside our valued trading partners, have been successful in supporting customers around the world and enhancing scientific progress."Chris Hoyle, technical director at rFpro, which also won in International Trade and Innovation said, "We are delighted that the hard work of everybody at rFpro has been acknowledged by the Queen’s Awards judging panel and we are so proud to be one of just a few companies to achieve a double award. Our contribution to making the world’s road networks safer is reward enough, but it is fantastic to receive such prestigious recognition.'

Next year’s awards

Applications for the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2020 open on 1 May 2019 and close on 10 September 2019. They are free to enter, and it is a self-nominating process. Applicants may apply for more than one award and entries are welcomed from all sectors. For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.

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